Fan assembly

ABSTRACT

There is provided a fan assembly comprising a fan body comprising an air inlet, a motor-driven impeller contained within the fan body and arranged to generate an airflow, and a nozzle mounted on the fan body, the nozzle being arranged to receive the airflow from the fan body and to emit the airflow from the fan assembly. The nozzle comprises a base that connects to an upper end of the fan body and encloses one or more electronic components of the fan assembly that are provided on an upper surface of the fan body.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of United Kingdom Application No.1720058.5, filed Dec. 1, 2017, and United Kingdom Application No.1801398.7, filed Jan. 29, 2018, the entire contents of each of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fan assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional domestic fan typically includes a set of blades or vanesmounted for rotation about an axis, and drive apparatus for rotating theset of blades to generate an airflow. The movement and circulation ofthe airflow creates a ‘wind chill’ or breeze and, as a result, the userexperiences a cooling effect as heat is dissipated through convectionand evaporation. The blades are generally located within a cage whichallows an airflow to pass through the housing while preventing usersfrom coming into contact with the rotating blades during use of the fan.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,488,467 describes a fan which does not use caged bladesto project air from the fan assembly. Instead, the fan assemblycomprises a base which houses a motor-driven impeller for drawing anairflow into the base, and a series of concentric, annular nozzlesconnected to the base and each comprising an annular outlet located atthe front of the nozzle for emitting the airflow from the fan. Eachnozzle extends about a bore axis to define a bore about which the nozzleextends.

Each nozzle is in the shape of an airfoil may therefore be considered tohave a leading edge located at the rear of the nozzle, a trailing edgelocated at the front of the nozzle, and a chord line extending betweenthe leading and trailing edges. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,488,467 the chordline of each nozzle is parallel to the bore axis of the nozzles. The airoutlet is located on the chord line, and is arranged to emit the airflowin a direction extending away from the nozzle and along the chord line.

Another fan assembly which does not use caged blades to project air fromthe fan assembly is described in WO 2010/100451. This fan assemblycomprises a cylindrical base which also houses a motor-driven impellerfor drawing a primary airflow into the base, and a single annular nozzleconnected to the base and comprising an annular mouth/outlet throughwhich the primary airflow is emitted from the fan. The nozzle defines anopening through which air in the local environment of the fan assemblyis drawn by the primary airflow emitted from the mouth, amplifying theprimary airflow. The nozzle includes a Coanda surface over which themouth is arranged to direct the primary airflow. The Coanda surfaceextends symmetrically about the central axis of the opening so that theairflow generated by the fan assembly is in the form of an annular jethaving a cylindrical or frusto-conical profile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According a first aspect there is provided a fan assembly comprising afan body comprising an air inlet, a motor-driven impeller containedwithin the fan body and arranged to generate an airflow, and a nozzlemounted on the fan body, the nozzle being arranged to receive theairflow from the fan body and to emit the airflow from the fan assembly.The nozzle comprises a neck/base that connects to an upper end of thefan body and encloses one or more electronic components of the fanassembly that are provided on an upper surface of the fan body.Preferably, the base comprises a housing that encloses the one or moreelectronic components that are provided on the upper surface of the fanbody.

The present invention provides a fan assembly that optimises the use ofspace within fan assembly by housing various electronic components ofthe fan assembly within the base of the nozzle that connects the nozzleto the fan body. In doing so, the present invention minimises thecomponents that need to be provided within the fan body, which alreadycontains the motor-driven impeller, thereby reducing the overall size ofthe fan body, whilst also maximising the area available on the fan bodyfor providing the air inlet.

The one or more electronic components may comprise one or more of a maincontrol circuit of the fan assembly, an electronic display of the fanassembly, one or more wireless communication modules, and one or moresensors. Preferably, an electronic display is mounted on the uppersurface of the fan body and the electronic display is visible through anopening or at least partially transparent window provided in the base ofthe nozzle. The electronic display is therefore housed within the baseof the nozzle that connects the nozzle to the fan body. This isparticularly advantageous as not only does this optimise the use ofspace within the fan assembly but also improves the visibility of thedisplay for a user of the fan assembly by locating the display higher upon the fan assembly than would otherwise be possible.

The fan assembly may further comprise at least one filter assembly thatis arranged to purify the airflow before the airflow is emitted from thefan assembly. Preferably, the fan assembly comprises at least oneremovable filter assembly mounted on the fan body over the air inlet.The present invention is particularly advantageous in fan assembliesthat comprise one or more removable filter assemblies that are mountedon the fan body, as this further increases the space required within thefan body that is then not available for housing electronic components.This is especially true for fan assemblies that comprise an electronicdisplay that needs to be located adjacent to an outer surface of the fanassembly in order to be visible to a user of the fan assembly.

The fan body may comprise a main body section that houses the impeller.The main body section may be mounted on a lower body section. The mainbody section may then be able to rotate relative to the lower bodysection. Preferably, the main body section is generally cylindrical andthe upper surface of the fan body, upon which the one or more electroniccomponents are provided, is provided by an upper annular flange thatextends radially/perpendicularly away from an upper end of the main bodysection. An external surface of the base of the nozzle may then besubstantially flush with an outer edge of the upper annular flange. Themain body section may also have a lower annular flange that extendsradially/perpendicularly away from a lower end of the main body section.The outer edge of the lower annular flange may then be substantiallyflush with the external surface of a lower body section. The main bodysection may comprise the air inlet of the fan body and the at least oneremovable filter assembly is then mounted on the main body section.

The base of the nozzle may have an air inlet through which the nozzlereceives the primary airflow from the fan body. The nozzle may bemounted over an air vent through which the airflow exits the fan body.

Preferably, the nozzle comprises an air outlet for emitting the airflowfrom the fan assembly. The nozzle may define a bore through which airfrom outside the fan assembly is drawn by any portion of the airflowthat is emitted from the air outlet and which combines with the airflowemitted from the air outlet to produce an amplified airflow. The fanassembly may further comprise a further air outlet arranged such thatany portion of the airflow that is emitted from the further air outletdoes not draw air through the bore defined by the nozzle therebyproducing a non-amplified airflow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a is a front view of a first embodiment of a fan assembly;

FIG. 1b is a right side view of the first embodiment of the fanassembly;

FIG. 2 is a right side cross-section view, taken along line A-A in FIG.1 a;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the nozzle of the fan assembly,taken along line B-B in FIG. 1 b;

FIG. 4 then shows an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectionview of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are perspective views of a main body section of the fanassembly of FIGS. 1a and 1 b;

FIG. 6a is an exploded view of the purifying assembly of the fanassembly of FIGS. 1a and 1 b;

FIG. 6b is a rear perspective view of a perforated shroud suitable foruse with the fan assembly FIGS. 1a and 1 b;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the nozzle of the fan assembly of FIGS. 1aand 1 b;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the valve of the fan assembly ofFIGS. 1a and 1 b;

FIG. 9a is a front view of a second embodiment of a nozzle for a fanassembly;

FIG. 9b is a right side view of the second embodiment of a nozzle for afan assembly;

FIG. 10a is a cross-sectional view through one section of the nozzle ofFIGS. 9a and 9b taken along line B-B in FIG. 9b when in a first mode ofoperation;

FIG. 10b is a cross-sectional view through one section of the nozzle ofFIGS. 9a and 9b taken along line B-B in FIG. 9b when in a second mode ofoperation;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the nozzle of FIGS. 9a and 9 b;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the valve of the of the nozzle ofFIGS. 9a and 9 b;

FIG. 13a is a front view of a third embodiment of a nozzle for a fanassembly;

FIG. 13b is a right side view of the third embodiment of a nozzle for afan assembly;

FIG. 14a is a cross-sectional view through one section of the nozzle ofFIGS. 9a and 9b taken along line B-B in FIG. 13b when in a first mode ofoperation;

FIG. 14b is a cross-sectional view through one section of the nozzle ofFIGS. 9a and 9b taken along line B-B in FIG. 13b when in a second modeof operation;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the nozzle of FIGS. 13a and 13b ; and

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the valve of the nozzle of FIGS.13a and 13 b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There will now be described a fan assembly that optimises the use ofspace within fan assembly by housing various electronic components ofthe fan assembly within the base of the nozzle that connects the nozzleto the fan body. The term “fan assembly” as used herein refers to a fanassembly configured to generate and deliver an airflow for the purposesof thermal comfort and/or environmental or climate control. Such a fanassembly may be capable of generating one or more of a dehumidifiedairflow, a humidified airflow, a purified airflow, a filtered airflow, acooled airflow, and a heated airflow.

The fan assembly 1000 comprises a body or stand 1100 comprising an airinlet 1110 through which a primary airflow enters the body 1100, atleast one removable purifying/filter assembly 1200 mounted on the body1100 over the air inlet 1110, and a nozzle 1300 mounted on an airvent/opening 1115 through which the primary airflow exits the body 1100.The nozzle 1300 comprises a first air outlet 1310 for emitting theprimary airflow from the fan assembly 1000, a second air outlet 1320 foremitting the primary airflow from the fan assembly 1000, and a valve1400 that is arranged to direct the primary airflow to one or both ofthe first air outlet 1310 and the second air outlet 1320 in dependenceupon the position of a valve member 1410 of the valve 1400.

The nozzle 1300 comprises an interior passage 1330 for conveying airfrom an air inlet 1340 of the nozzle 1300 to one or both of the firstair outlet 1310 and the second air outlet 1320. The nozzle 1300 alsodefines a central/inner opening/bore 1500 through which air from outsidethe fan assembly 1000 is drawn by the primary airflow emitted from thefirst outlet 1310 and which combines with the emitted airflow to producean amplified airflow. The nozzle 1300 therefore forms a loop thatextends around and surrounds the bore 1500.

The second air outlet 1320 of the nozzle 1300 is arranged to receive theairflow from the interior passage 1330 and to emit the airflow withoutdrawing air from outside the fan assembly through the opening/bore 1500defined by the nozzle 1300, thereby producing a non-amplified airflow.In the embodiments illustrated herein, the second air outlet 1320 isarranged to direct the emitted the airflow such that it substantiallyradiates/divaricates away from the fan assembly 1000. In particular, thesecond air outlet 1320 is arranged to direct the non-amplified airflowsuch that it substantially radiates/divaricates away from a central axis(X) of the opening/bore 1500 defined by the nozzle 1300, i.e. at anangle of between 30 degrees and 150 degrees away from the central axis(X) of the opening/bore 1500 defined by the nozzle 1300. Preferably, thesecond air outlet 1320 is arranged to direct the non-amplified airflowsubstantially perpendicularly away from the central axis (X) of theopening/bore 1500 defined by the nozzle 1300, i.e. at an angle from 45to 135 degrees away from the central axis (X) of the opening/bore 1500defined by the nozzle 1300, and more preferably at an angle from 70 to110 degrees from the central axis (X) of the opening/bore 1500 definedby the nozzle 1300. The second air outlet 1320 would therefore bearranged to direct the non-amplified airflow in a direction that issubstantially perpendicular to the direction in which air is drawnthrough the bore 1500.

FIGS. 1a and 1b are external views of a first embodiment of afree-standing environmental control fan assembly 1000, and FIGS. 2 and 3show sectional views through lines A-A and B-B of FIGS. 1a and 1brespectively. FIG. 4 then shows an enlarged sectional view of the body1100 of the fan assembly 1000 illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1 b.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the body 1100 comprises a substantiallycylindrical main body section 1120 mounted on a substantiallycylindrical lower body section 1130. The main body section 1120 has asmaller external diameter than the lower body section 1130. The mainbody section 1120 has a lower annular flange 1121 that extendsradially/perpendicularly away from the lower end of the main bodysection 1120. The outer edge of the lower annular flange 1121 issubstantially flush with the external surface of the lower body section1130. The removable purifying/filter assemblies 1200 are then mounted onthe main body section 1120, resting on the lower annular flange 1121 ofthe main body section 1120. In this embodiment, the main body section1120 further comprises an upper annular flange 1122 that extendsradially/perpendicularly away from an opposite, upper end of the mainbody section 1120. The outer edge of the upper annular flange 1122 isthen substantially flush with the external surface of a base/neck 1350of the nozzle 1300 that connects to upper end of the main body section1120.

In this first embodiment, the fan assembly 1000 comprises two separatepurifying assemblies 1200 a, 1200 b that are configured to be located onand cover two opposing halves of the main body section 1120. Eachpurifying assembly 1200 therefore substantially has the shape of a halfcylinder/tube that can therefore be located concentrically over the mainbody section 1120, resting on the lower annular flange 1121 of the mainbody section 1120. Accordingly, FIG. 5a shows the main body section 1120with one of the purifying assemblies 1200 a removed and with the otherof the purifying assemblies 1200 b mounted on the far side of the mainbody section 1120.

FIG. 6a illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a filterassembly 1200 suitable for use with the fan assembly of FIGS. 1a to 5b .In this embodiment, each filter assembly 1200 comprises a filter frame13210 that supports one or more filter media. Each filter frame 1210substantially has the shape of a semi-cylinder with two straight sidesthat are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter frame 1210 andtwo curved ends that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thefilter frame 1210. The one or more filter media are arranged so as tocover the surface area defined by the filter frame 1210.

The filter frame 1210 is provided with a first end flange 1211 thatextends radially/perpendicularly away from a first curved end of thefilter frame 1210 and a second end flange 1212 that extendsradially/perpendicularly away from an opposite, second curved end of thefilter frame 1210. Each filter frame 1210 is then also provided with afirst side flange 1213 that extends perpendicularly away from a firstside of the filter frame 1210, from a first end of the first end flange1211 to a first end of the second end flange 1212, and a second sideflange 1214 that extends perpendicularly away from a second side of thefilter frame 1210, from a second end of the first end flange 1211 to asecond end of the second end flange 1212. The first end flange 1211,second end flange 1212, first side flange 1213 and second side flange1214 are integrally formed with one another to thereby form a ridge orrim that extends around the entire periphery of the filter frame 1210.The flanges 1211-1214 provide surfaces to which the filter media can besealed (e.g. using glue on the downstream side of filter assembly 1210)and also provide surfaces that allow the filter frame 1210 to form aseal with the main body 1120 of the fan assembly 1000 (e.g. withcorresponding flanges on the main body section 1120) to prevent air fromleaking into or out of the fan body 1100 without passing through thefilter media.

Each filter assembly 1200 further comprises a flexible seal 1230provided around the entirety of an inner periphery of the filter frame1210 for engaging with the main body section 1120 to prevent air frompassing around the edges of the filter assembly 1200 to the air inlet1110 of the main body section 1120. The flexible filter seal 1230preferably comprises lower and upper curved seal sections thatsubstantially take the form of an arc-shaped wiper or lip seal, with theeach end of the lower seal section being connected to a correspondingend of the upper seal section by two straight seal sections that eachsubstantially take the form of a wiper or lip seal. The upper and lowercurved seal sections are therefore arranged to contact the curved upperand lower ends of the main body section 1120, whilst the straight sealsections are arranged to contact one or other of two diametricallyopposed, longitudinal flanges 1123 a, 1123 b that extend perpendicularlyaway from the main body section 1120. Preferably, the filter frame 1210is provided with a recess (not shown) that extends around the entiretyof the inner periphery of the filter frame 1210 and that is arranged toreceive and support the seal 1230. In the illustrated embodiment, thisrecess extends across an inner surface of both the first side flange1213 and second side flange 1214, and across an inner edge of both thefirst end and the second end of the filter frame 1210.

One or more filter media 1221, 1222 are then supported on the outer,convex face of the filter frame 1210, extending across the area betweenthe first and second flanges 1211, 1212 and the first second sideflanges 1213, 1214. In the illustrated embodiment, each filter assembly1200 a, 1200 b comprises a particulate filter media layer 1221 coveredwith an outer mesh layer 1222 attached on the outer face of the filterframe 1210. Optionally, one or more further filter media can then belocated within the inner, concave face of the filter frame 1210. Forexample, these further filter media could comprise a first chemicalfilter media layer covered by a second chemical filter media layer thatare both located within the inner face of the filter frame 1210. Thesefurther filter media could either be attached to and/or support on theinner, concave face of the filter frame 1210 or alternatively could bemounted on to the main body section 1120, resting on the lower annularflange 1111 of the main body section 1120 beneath each filter assembly1200 a, 1200 b. In either case, the filter frame 1210 will be formed sothat it defines a space within the inner, concave face of the filterframe 1210 within which these further filter media can be accommodatedwhen the filter assembly 1200 is mounted onto the main body section1120.

As shown in FIG. 5a , a perforated shroud 1240 that is substantially inthe shape of a half cylinder is then attached concentrically to thefilter frame 1210 so as to cover the purifying assemblies 1200 whenlocated on the main body section 1120. FIG. 6b illustrates a rearperspective view of a perforated shroud 1240 suitable for use with thefan assembly of FIGS. 1a to 5b . The perforated shrouds 1240 eachcomprise an array of apertures which act as an air inlet 1241 of thepurifying assembly 1200 in use of the fan 1000. Alternatively, the airinlet 1241 of the shroud 1240 may comprise one or more grilles or meshesmounted within windows in the shroud 1240. It will also be clear thatalternative patterns of air inlet arrays are envisaged within the scopeof the present invention. The shrouds 1240 protect the filter media1221-1224 from damage, for example during transit, and also provides avisually appealing outer surface for the purifying assemblies 1200,which is in keeping with the overall appearance of the fan assembly1000. As the shroud 1240 defines the air inlet 1241 for the purifyingassembly 1200, the array of apertures are sized to prevent largerparticles from entering the purifying assembly 1200 and blocking, orotherwise damaging, the filter media 1221-1224.

The main body section 1120 comprises a perforated housing 1124 thatcontains various components of the fan assembly 1000. The perforatedhousing 1124 comprises the array of apertures which act as the air inlet1110 of the body 1100 of the fan assembly 1000. The purifying assemblies1200 are then located upstream from the air inlets 1110 of the main bodysection 1120, such that the air drawn into the main body section 1120 bythe impeller 1150 is filtered prior to entering the main body section1120. This serves to remove any particles which could potentially causedamage to the fan assembly 1000, and also ensures that the air emittedfrom the nozzle 1300 is free from particulates. In addition, this alsoserves to remove various chemical substances from that could potentiallybe a health hazard so that the air emitted from the nozzle 1300 ispurified. In this embodiment the air inlets 1110 comprise an array ofapertures formed in the main body section 1120. Alternatively, the airinlets 1110 could comprise one or more grilles or meshes mounted withinwindows formed in the main body section 1120. The main body section 1120is open at the upper end thereof to accommodate the air vent/opening1115 through which the primary airflow is exhausted from the body 1100.

The lower body section 1130 comprises a further housing containingcomponents of the fan assembly 1000 other than those contained withinmain body section 1120. The lower body section 1130 is mounted on a base1140 for engaging a surface on which the fan assembly 1000 is located.Specifically, the base 1140 supports the fan assembly 1000 when locatedon a surface with the nozzle 1300 uppermost relative to the base 1140.In this embodiment, the lower body section 1130 houses a pan drive gear(not shown) that is engaged by a pan pinion (not shown). The pan pinionis driven by an oscillation motor 1160 housed within the bottom of themain body section 1120. Rotation of the pan pinion by the oscillationmotor 1160 therefore causes the main body section 1120 to rotaterelative to the lower body section 1130. A mains power cable (not shown)for supplying electrical power to the fan assembly 1000 extends throughan aperture 1131 formed in the lower body section 1130. The external endof the cable is then connected to a plug for connection to a mains powersupply.

The main body section 1120 may be tilted relative to the lower bodysection 1130 to adjust the direction in which the primary airflow isemitted from the fan assembly 1000. For example, the upper surface 1132of the lower body section 1130 and the lower surface 1125 of the mainbody section 1120 may be provided with interconnecting features whichallow the main body section 1120 to move relative to the lower bodysection 111 while preventing the main body section 110 from being liftedfrom the lower body section 1130. For example, the lower body section1130 and the main body section 1120 may comprise interlocking L-shapedmembers. In this embodiment, the upper surface 1132 of the lower bodysection 1130 is concave and the lower surface 1125 of the main bodysection 1120 is correspondingly convex. At least a portion of the twosurfaces will therefore remain adjacent to one another, and theinterconnecting features will remain at least partially connected, whenthe main body section 1120 is tilted relative to the lower body section1130.

As described above, the main body section 1120 houses the oscillationmotor 1160 that drives the pan pinion that is engaged with the pan drivegear within the lower body section 1130. In the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 4, the oscillation motor 1160 is housed within the bottomof the main body section 1120, adjacent to the convex lower surface 1125of the main body section 1120. Together the oscillation motor 126, thepan pinion and the pan drive gear provide an oscillation mechanism foroscillating the main body section 1120 relative to the lower bodysection 1130. This oscillation mechanism is controlled by a main controlcircuit 1170 of the fan assembly 1000 in response to control inputsprovided by a user.

The mains power cable passes through the lower body section 1130 withthe internal end of the mains power cable then being connected to apower supply unit 1180 housed towards the bottom of the main bodysection 1120. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 1180 is mountedon a power supply mount 1181 that is fixed above the oscillation motor1160. A power supply cover 1182 is then positioned over the power supplyunit 1180 to enclose and protect the power supply unit 1180. In thisembodiment, the power supply cover 1182 is substantially dome-shaped tominimize any disturbance of the primary airflow that enters the fanassembly 1000 through the air inlet 1110 and to assist in guidingprimary airflow. Optionally, a heat sink (not shown) can be provided onthe upper surface of the power supply cover 1182 to assist indissipating heat generated by the power supply unit 1180. Mounting theheat sink on the upper surface of the power supply cover 1182 locatesthe heat sink within the path of the primary airflow that enters thebody 1100 through the air inlet 1110 such that the primary airflow willfurther assist in dissipating heat generated by the power supply unit1180.

The main body section 1120 houses the impeller 1150 for drawing theprimary airflow through the air inlet 1110 and into the body 1100.Preferably, the impeller 1150 is in the form of a mixed flow impeller.The impeller 1150 is connected to a rotary shaft 1151 extendingoutwardly from a motor 1152. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2and 4, the motor 1152 is a DC brushless motor having a speed which isvariable by the main control circuit 1170 in response to control inputsprovided by a user. The motor 1152 is housed within a motor bucket 1153that comprises an upper portion 1153 a connected to a lower portion 1153b. The upper portion 1153 a of the motor bucket further comprises adiffuser 1153 c in the form of an annular disc having curved blades.

The motor bucket 1153 is located within, and mounted on, an impellerhousing 1154 that is mounted within the main body section 1120. Theimpeller housing 1154 comprises a generally frusto-conical impeller wall1154 a and an impeller shroud 1154 b located within the impeller wall1154 a. The impeller 1150, impeller wall 1154 a and an impeller shroud1154 b are shaped so that the impeller 1150 is in close proximity to,but does not contact, the inner surface of the impeller shroud 1154 b. Asubstantially annular inlet member 1155 is then connected to the bottomof the impeller housing 1154 for guiding the primary airflow into theimpeller housing 1154.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 5 a and 5 b, the airvent/opening 1115 through which the primary airflow is exhausted fromthe body 1100 is defined by the upper portion of the motor bucket 1153 aand the impeller wall 1154 a.

A flexible sealing member 1156 is attached between the impeller housing1154 and the main body section 1120. The flexible sealing member 1156prevents air from passing around the outer surface of the impellerhousing 1154 to the inlet member 1155. The sealing member 1156preferably comprises an annular lip seal, preferably formed from rubber.

As described above, the nozzle 1300 is mounted on the upper end of themain body section 1120 over the air vent 1115 through which the primaryairflow exits the body 1100. The nozzle 1300 comprises a neck/base 1350that connects to upper end of the main body section 1120, and has anopen lower end which provides an air inlet 1340 for receiving theprimary airflow from the body 1100. The air inlet 1340 of the nozzle1300 is provided by a circular opening located centrally within thelower end of the base 1350 of the nozzle 1300. The air inlet 1340 ofnozzle 1300 aligns with the air vent 1115 of the main body section 1120,with the air vent 1115 being provided by a circular opening locatedcentrally at the upper end of the main body section 1120.

As shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b , 2 and 4, the base 1350 of the nozzle 1300 hasan external surface that tapers inwardly from the lower end of the base1350, where the base 1350 is attached to the main body section 1120, tothe upper end of the base 1350. At the lower end of the base 1350 theexternal surface of the base 1350 of the nozzle 1300 is thensubstantially flush with the outer edge of the upper annular flange 1122of the main body section 1120. The base 1350 therefore comprises ahousing that covers/encloses any components of the fan assembly 1000that are provided on the upper surface 1122 of the main body section1120.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 b, the main controlcircuit 1170 is mounted on the upper surface of the upper annular flange1122 that extends radially away from the upper end of the main bodysection 1120. The main control circuit 1170 is therefore housed withinbase 1350 of the nozzle 1300. In addition, an electronic display 1180 isalso mounted on the upper annular flange 1122 of the main body section1120 and therefore housed within base 1350 of the nozzle 1300, with thedisplay 1180 being visible through an opening or at least partiallytransparent window 1351 provided in the base 1350. For example, theelectronic display 1180 could be provided by an LCD display that ismounted on the upper annular flange 1122 and aligned with transparentwindow 1351 provided in the base 1350. Optionally, one or moreadditional electronic components 1190 may be mounted on the uppersurface of the upper annular flange 1122 and consequentially housedwithin base 1350 of the nozzle 1300. For example, these additionalelectronic components 1190 may one or more wireless communicationmodules, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth etc., and one or more sensors, such asan infrared sensor, a dust sensor etc., and any associated electronics.Any such additional electronic components would then also be connectedto the main control circuit 1170.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2, the nozzle 1300 hasan elongate annular shape, often referred to as a stadium shape, anddefines an elongate opening 1500 having a height greater than its width.The nozzle 1300 therefore comprises two relatively straight sections1301, 1302 each adjacent a respective elongate side of the opening 1500,an upper curved section 1303 joining the upper ends of the straightsections 1301, 1302, and a lower curved section 1304 joining the lowerends of the straight sections 1301, 1302.

The nozzle 1300 therefore comprises an elongate annular outer casingsection 1360 that is concentric with and extends about an elongateannular inner casing section 1370. In this example, the inner casingsection 1360 and the outer casing section 1370 are separate components;however, they could also be integrally formed as a single piece. Thenozzle 1300 also has a curved rear casing section 1380 that forms therear of the nozzle 1300, with an inner end of the curved rear casingsection 1380 being connected to a rear end of the inner casing section1370. In this example, the inner casing section 1370 and the curved rearcasing section 1380 are separate components that are connected together,for example, using screws and/or adhesives; however, they could also beintegrally formed as a single piece. The curved rear casing section 1380has a generally elongate annular cross-section perpendicular to thecentral axis (X) of the inner bore 1500 of the nozzle 1300, and agenerally semi-circular cross-section parallel to the central axis (X)of the inner bore 1500 of the nozzle 1300.

The inner casing section 1370 has a generally elongate annularcross-section perpendicular to the central axis (X) of the inner bore1500 of the nozzle 1300, and extends around and surrounds the inner bore1500 of the nozzle 1300. In this example, the inner casing section 1370has a rear portion 1371 and a front portion 1372. The rear portion 1371is angled outwardly from the rear end of the inner casing section 1372away from the central axis (X) of the inner bore 1500. The front portion1372 is also angled outwardly from the rear end of the inner casingsection 1370 away from the central axis (X) of the inner bore 1500, butwith a greater angle of inclination than that of the rear portion 1371.The front portion 1372 of the inner casing section 1370 therefore taperstowards the front end of the outer casing section 1360, but does notmeet the front end of the outer casing section 1360, with the spacebetween the front end of the inner casing section 1370 and the front endof the outer casing section 1360 defining a slot that forms a first airoutlet 1310 of the nozzle 1300.

The outer casing section 1360 then extends from the front of the nozzle1300 towards an outer end of the curved rear casing section 1380, butdoes not meet the outer end of the curved rear casing section 1380, withthe space between a rear end of the outer casing section 1360 and theouter end of the curved rear casing section 1380 defining a slot thatforms a second air outlet 1320 of the nozzle 1300.

The outer casing section 1360, inner casing section 1370 and curved rearcasing section 1380 therefore define an interior passage 1330 forconveying air from the air inlet 1340 of the nozzle 1300 to one or bothof the first air outlet 1310 and the second air outlet 1320. In otherwords, the interior passage 1330 is bounded by the internal surfaces ofthe outer casing section 1360, inner casing section 1370 and curved rearcasing section 1380. The interior passage 1330 may be considered tocomprise first and second sections which each extend in oppositedirections about the bore 1500, as the air that enters the nozzle 1300through the air inlet 1340 will enter the lower curved section 1304 ofthe nozzle 1300 and be divided into two air streams which each flow intoa respective one of the straight sections 1301, 1302 of the nozzle 1300.

The nozzle 1300 further comprises two curved seal members 1365 each forforming a seal between the outer casing section 1360 and the innercasing section 1370 at the top and bottom curved sections 1303, 1304 ofthe nozzle 1300, so that there is substantially no leakage of air fromthe curved sections of the interior passage 1330 of the nozzle 1300. Thenozzle 1300 therefore comprises two elongate first air outlets 1310 a,1310 b each located on a respective elongate side of the central bore1500. In this embodiment, the nozzle 1300 is therefore provided with apair of first air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b for emitting the primaryairflow that are located on the opposite elongate sides of the nozzle1300/opening 1500 towards the front of the nozzle 1300.

The nozzle 1300 then further comprises a pair of heater assemblies 1390a, 1390 b within the interior passage 1330, each heater assembly 1390 a,1390 b being adjacent to a respective one of the pair of first airoutlets 1310 a, 1310 b. Each heater assembly 1390 a, 1390 b comprises aplurality of heater elements 1391 supported within a frame 1392, withthe frame 1392 then being mounted within the interior passage 1330 ofthe nozzle 1300 adjacent to the respective first air outlet 1310 a, 1310b. The frame 1392 of each heater assembly 1390 a, 1390 b is thereforearranged, when mounted within the interior passage 1330, to direct theairflow through the heating elements 1391 and out of the correspondingfirst air outlet 1310 a, 1310 b. To do so, the portion of the frame 1392that is between the heater elements 1391 and the corresponding first airoutlet 1310 a, 1310 b tapers towards the air outlet, with a narrow endof the frame 1392 being fitted within the corresponding first air outlet1310 a, 1310 b provided in the forward facing edge of the nozzle 1300.This tapered portion of the frame 1392 therefore acts as an airflowguide member as it funnels the primary airflow towards the first airoutlet 1310 a, 1310 b and forms the duct 1311 of the first air outlet1310 a, 1310 b.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, each of first air outlets 1310a, 1310 b is therefore provided with a corresponding first airflowchannel 1312 a, 1312 b within the interior passage 1330 of the nozzle1300 that is defined by the frame 1392 of the corresponding heaterassembly 1390. The first airflow channels 1312 a, 1312 b are eacharranged to direct the airflow towards the corresponding first airoutlet 1310 a, 1310 b. The air inlet into the first airflow channel 1312a, 1312 b, as defined by inner edge of the frame 1392 of the heaterassembly 1390, is substantially perpendicular to the central axis (X) ofthe bore/opening 1500.

In order for the airflow emitted from the pair of first air outlets 1310a, 1310 b to draw air from outside the fan assembly 1000 and combinewith this air to produce an amplified airflow, the first air outlets1310 a, 1310 b are arranged to direct the emitted the airflow in adirection that is substantially parallel to the central axis (X) of theopening/bore 1500 defined by the nozzle 1300, i.e. at an angle from −30to 30 degrees away from the central axis, preferably at an angle from−20 to 20 degrees away from the central axis, and more preferably at anangle from −10 to 10 degrees away from the central axis. To do so, thefirst air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b are arranged such that a duct 1311 ofeach first air outlet 1310 a, 1310 b is substantially parallel to thecentral axis (X) of the opening/bore 1500 defined by the nozzle 1300.

The second air outlet 1320 is then arranged such that a duct 1321 of thesecond air outlet 1320 is substantially perpendicular relative to thecentral axis (X) of the opening/bore 1500 defined by the nozzle 1300. Asa consequence, the non-amplified airflow emitted from the second airoutlet 1320 will be directed substantially perpendicularly away from thecentral axis (X) of the opening/bore 1500 defined by the nozzle 1300. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the duct 1321 of the second air outlet 1320extends from the interior passage 1330 that carries the primary airflowreceived from the body 1100 to the external periphery of the nozzle 1300in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction ofthe air drawn through the bore 1500.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a baffle 1420 is providedwithin the interior passage that defines a second airflow channel 1322within the interior passage 1330 that is arranged to direct the primaryairflow towards the second air outlet 1320. The baffle 1420 extends intothe interior passage 1330 from an interior surface of the nozzle 1300that at least partially defines the interior passage 1330, with thesecond airflow channel 1322 being a section of the interior passage 1330that is on one side of the baffle 1420. In particular, the secondairflow channel 1322 comprises a section of the interior passage 1330that is bounded by the baffle 1420 and by a portion of the interiorsurface of the nozzle 1300 that is adjacent to the second air outlet1320.

The baffle 1420 is provided by a baffle wall that extends into theinterior passage 1330 from the curved rear casing section 1380. Thebaffle wall 1420 is connected to the outer end of the curved rear casingsection 1380 and has a front portion 1421 and a rear portion 1422. Therear portion 1422 of the baffle wall 1420 is angled inwardly from theouter end of the curved rear casing section 1380 towards the centralaxis (X) of the bore 1500. The front portion 1421 is then angledrelative to the rear portion 1422 so that the front portion 1421 isparallel to the outer casing section 1360, with the majority of thefront portion 1421 overlapping the outer casing section 1360. Theportion of the interior passage 1330 that is located between the frontportion 1421 of the baffle wall 1420 and the overlapping portion of theouter casing section 360 therefore forms the second airflow channel 1322within the interior passage 1330, with the angled rear portion 1422 ofthe baffle wall 1420 providing the duct 1321 of the second air outlet1320 that is substantially perpendicular relative to the central axis(X) of the opening/bore 1500 defined by the nozzle 1300. The air inletinto the second airflow channel 1322, as defined by front end of thebaffle wall 1421 and the inner surface of the outer casing section 1360,is substantially perpendicular to the central axis (X) of theopening/bore 1500 defined by the nozzle 1300.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 3, the baffle wall 1420extends up the elongate sides 1301, 1302 of the interior passage 1330and around the upper curved section 1303. The elongate sides of thebaffle wall 1420 are generally straight; whilst the lower ends of thebaffle wall 1420 extend only partially into the lower curved section1304 until they meet the interior surface of the lower curved section1304 of the interior passage 1330 so that the primary airflow cannotenter the second airflow channel 1322 via this lower end. A gasket 1423provided on the front end of the baffle wall 1420 also extends aroundthe lower edge of the baffle wall 1420 to improve the seal formedbetween the baffle wall 1420 and the interior surface of the lowercurved section 1304 of the interior passage 1320.

In addition, the baffle wall 1420 further comprises a projection 1424 atthe peak/centre of upper curved section 1303 that extends from theoutward facing surface of the baffle wall 1420 to the inner surface ofthe outer casing section 1360 thereby separating the adjacent portion ofthe second airflow channel 1322 from the interior passage 1330 andsplitting the opening/inlet from the interior passage 1330 into thesecond airflow channel 1322 into two sections, each opening/inletsection extending up one of the elongate sides 1301, 1302 and partiallyaround the upper curved section 1303 of the interior passage 1330 untilthey reach the projection 1424 at the peak of the upper curved section1303.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 3, the fan assembly 1000then comprises a valve 1400 that is arranged to direct the primaryairflow to one or both of the first air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b and thesecond air outlet 1320. To do so, the valve 1400 comprises a pair ofvalve members 1410 a, 1410 b that are arranged to direct the primaryairflow to one or both of the first air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b and thesecond air outlet 1320 in dependence upon the position of a pair ofvalve members 1410 a, 1410 b. Each valve member 1410 a, 1410 b istherefore arranged to be moveable between a first end position in whichthe valve member directs the primary airflow to a corresponding one ofpair of first air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b and prevents/obstructs theairflow from reaching the second air outlet 1320, and a second endposition in which the valve member directs the primary airflow to thesecond air outlet 1320 and prevents/obstructs the airflow from reachingthe corresponding first air outlet 1310 a, 1310 b. When the valvemembers 1410 a, 1410 b are located in-between the first end position andthe second end position, the valve members direct a first portion of theprimary airflow to the first air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b and a secondportion of the primary airflow to the second air outlet 1320. The closerthe valve members 1410 a, 1410 b to the first end position the greaterthe proportion of the primary airflow that comprises the first portionthat is directed to the to the first air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b.Conversely, the closer the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b to the secondend position the greater the proportion of the primary airflow thatcomprises the second portion that is directed to the to the second airoutlet 1320.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 3, the valve 1400 isprovided within the interior passage 1330 of the nozzle 1300.Consequently, each valve member 1410 a, 1410 b is arranged to close-offthe second airflow channel 1322 from the remainder of the interiorpassage 1330 when in the first end position so as to substantiallyprevent the airflow from entering the second airflow channel 1322, andto close-off a corresponding first airflow channel 1312 a, 1312 b fromthe remainder of the interior passage 1330 when in the second endposition so as to substantially prevent the airflow from entering thefirst airflow channel 1312 a, 1312 b.

Each valve member 1410 a, 1410 b is therefore arranged so that, in thefirst end position, the valve member 1410 a, 1410 b abuts/is seatedagainst both the interior surface of the nozzle 1300 that is adjacent tothe second air outlet 1320 and the baffle 1420 to thereby substantiallyclose-off the corresponding inlet section of the second airflow channel1322 from the remainder of the interior passage 1330. The gasket 1423provided on the front end of the baffle wall 1420 improves the sealformed between a valve member 1410 a, 1410 b and the baffle 1420 whenthe valve member 1410 a, 1410 b is in the first end position. Each valvemember 1410 a, 1410 b is also arranged so that, in the second endposition, the valve member 1410 a, 1410 b abuts/is seated against theinner periphery/edges of the frame 1392 of the corresponding heaterassembly 1390 to thereby substantially close-off the corresponding firstairflow channel 1312 a, 1312 b from the remainder of the interiorpassage 1330, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The shape of each valve member1410 a, 1410 b therefore substantially corresponds to/conformswith/correlates with that of the aligned section/portion of the interiorpassage 1330. As shown in FIG. 7, which provides an exploded view of thenozzle 1300, each valve member 1410 a, 1410 b is therefore generallyJ-shaped, having an elongate section and a curved end, and also has agenerally J-shaped cross-section comprising an elongate section and acurved end.

In order to move the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b to any position fromthe first end position to the second end position the fan assembly 1000is provided with a valve motor 1430 that is arranged to cause movementof the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b in response to signals received fromthe main control circuit 1170. As shown in FIG. 8, the valve motor 1430is arranged to rotate a pinion 1431 that engages with a curved orarc-shaped rack 1440, with rotation of the valve motor 1430 causingrotation of both the pinion 1431 and the rack 1440, and with the valve1400 being configured such that rotation of the rack 1440 results inmovement of the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 8, the valve motor 1430 ismounted on the baffle wall 1420 within the interior passage 1330 at thepeak/centre of upper curved section 1303, with the baffle wall 1420 thenbeing attached to the rear casing section 1380. A rotating shaft 1432 ofthe valve motor 1430 then projects towards the rear casing 1380, withthe axis of the rotation of the shaft 1432 being parallel to the centreaxis (X) of the bore/opening 1500. The pinion 1431 is mounted upon therotating shaft 1432, with the teeth of the pinion 1431 engaging thearc-shaped rack 1440 whose shape substantially corresponds to/conformswith/correlates with that of the upper curved section 1303 of theinterior passage 1330.

As the nozzle 1300 has an elongate annular shape, the rack 1440 has theshape of a minor arc wherein the rack 1440 subtends an angle that isless than 180 degrees. Specifically, the arc-shaped rack 1440 willextend around the majority of the upper curved section 1303 of theinterior passage 1330 defined by the nozzle 1300, with the ends of thearc-shaped rack 1440 each being aligned with the respective elongatesides 1301, 1302 of the interior passage 1330 when mounted within thenozzle 1300

As described above, the inlets into each of the first airflow channels1312 a, 1312 b and the corresponding inlet sections of the secondairflow channel 1322 are aligned with one another and are substantiallyparallel to the central axis (X) of the opening/bore 1500 of the nozzle1300. Consequently, in order for the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b toclose off the second airflow channel 1322 when in the first end positionand to close off the first airflow channels 1312 a, 1312 b when in thesecond end position, the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b are each arrangedto move in a direction that is substantially parallel to the centralaxis (X) of the opening/bore 1500. The valve 1400 is thereforeconfigured such that the rotation of the rack 1440 is translated intomovement of the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b in a direction that isparallel to the central axis (X) of the opening/bore 1500.

In order to translate the rotation of the rack 1440 into movement of thevalve members 1410 a, 1410 b in a direction that is parallel to thecentral axis (X) of the bore 1500, the arc-shaped rack 1440 illustratedin FIGS. 7 and 8 is provided with a pair of surfaces 1441 a, 1441 b thatproject from the rack 1440 in a direction that is parallel to the centreaxis (X) of the bore 1500, with each of these projecting surfaces 1441a, 1441 b being curved so as to follow the curvature of the arc-shapedrack 1440, and with the rack 1440 being configured such that the pair ofsurfaces 1441 a, 1441 b are located on opposite sides of the pinion 1431when the pinion 1431 is engaged in the rack 1440. Each of theseprojecting surfaces 1441 a, 1441 b is then provided with a linear cam inthe form of a cam slot 1442 a, 1442 b that extends across the curvedsurface at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the axis ofthe rotation of the rack 1440, and that is arranged to be engaged by afollower pin 1411 a, 1411 b that projects from the corresponding valvemember 1410 a, 1410 b, with the cam slots 1442 a, 1442 b provided onboth of the projecting surfaces being angled in the same direction.

In addition, a first of a pair of valve actuators 1450 a is rotatablyconnected/attached to a first end of the arc-shaped rack 1440 and asecond of the pair of valve actuators 1450 b is rotatablyconnected/attached to an opposite, second end of the arc-shaped rack1440. Each valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b is elongate (being arranged toextend along the elongate sides 1301, 1302 of the interior passage 1330)and is provided with an upper cam slot 1451 provided towards the upperend of the valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b and a lower cam slot 1452provided towards the lower end of the valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b. Theupper and lower cam slots 1451, 1452 extend across the correspondingvalve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b at an angle of approximately 45 degreesrelative to the centre axis (X) of the bore 1500 and are each arrangedto be engaged by a follower pin 1412, 1413 that projects from thecorresponding valve member 1410 a, 1410 b. The cam slots 1451 a, 1452 aon a first of the valve actuators 1450 a are angled upwards as the camslots extend from the back to the front of the valve actuator 1450 a,whereas the cam slots 1451 b, 1452 b on a second of the valve actuators1450 b are angled downwards as the cam slots extend from the back to thefront of the valve actuator 1450 b.

Each valve member 1410 a, 1410 b therefore comprises three follower pins1411, 1412, 1413 that are arranged to engage with the cam slot 1442provided on the corresponding portion of the rack 1440 and the upper andlower cam slots 1451, 1452 provided on the corresponding valve actuator1450 a, 1450 b respectively.

In order to move the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b to any position fromthe first end position to the second end position, the main controlcircuit 1170 sends a signal to the valve motor 1430 that causes themotor to rotate the shaft 1432 in one direction or the other, therebycausing rotation of the pinion 1431 provided on the shaft 1432.Engagement of the pinion 1431 with the arc-shaped rack 1440 thereforecauses the rack 1440 to rotate in the same direction as the shaft 1432.Rotation of the arc-shaped rack 1440 therefore causes the angled camslots 1442 provided on the curved surfaces 1441 a, 1441 b that projectfrom the rack 1440 to move relative to the follower pin 1411 of thecorresponding valve member 1410 a, 1410 b that is engaged within the camslot, with the angle of the cam slots 1442 a, 1442 b translating therotational movement of the arc-shaped rack 1440 into linear movement ofthe valve members 1410 a, 1410 b in a direction that is parallel to thecentre axis (X) of the bore 1500. In particular, rotation of thearc-shaped rack 1440 will cause both the projecting surfaces 1441 a,1441 b to rotate in the same direction. In this regard, as the cam slots1442 a, 1442 b provided on the curved surfaces 1441 a, 1441 b thatproject from the rack 1440 are angled in the same direction, rotation ofthe curved surfaces 1441 a, 1441 b in the same direction is translatedinto horizontal movement of the first valve member 1410 a and secondvalve member 1410 b in the same direction.

In addition, rotation of the arc-shaped rack 1440 results in verticaldisplacement of the first and second ends of the arc-shaped rack 1440that in-turn causes vertical displacement of the valve actuators 1450 a,1450 b that are rotatably connected to the ends of the arc-shaped rack1440. In particular, rotation of the arc-shaped rack 1440 will causeupwards movement of one of the first and second ends of the arc-shapedrack 1440 and the connected valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b, and downwardsmovement of the other of the first and second ends of the arc-shapedrack 1440 and the connected valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b. Verticaldisplacement of the valve actuators 1450 a, 1450 b causes the angled camslots 1451, 1452 provided on the valve actuators 1450 a, 1450 b to moverelative to the respective follower pins 1412, 1413 of the correspondingvalve member 1410 a, 1410 b, with the angle of the cam slot 1451, 1452translating the vertical displacement of the valve actuators 1450 a,1450 b into horizontal movement of the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b in adirection that is parallel to the centre axis (X) of the bore 1500. Inthis regard, as the cam slots 1451 a, 1452 a provided on the first valveactuator 1450 a are angled in the opposite direction to those providedon the second valve actuator 1450 b, movement of the first valveactuator 1450 a and the second valve actuator 1450 b in opposingvertical directions is translated into horizontal movement of the firstvalve member 1410 a and second valve member 1410 b in the samedirection.

To operate the fan assembly 1000 the user presses button on a userinterface. The user interface may be provided on the fan assembly 1000itself, on an associated remote control (not shown), and/or on awireless computing device such as a tablet or smartphone (not shown)that communicates with the fan assembly 1000 wirelessly. This action bythe user is communicated to the main control circuit 1170, in responseto which the main control circuit 1170 activates the fan motor 1152 torotate the impeller 1150. The rotation of the impeller 1150 causes aprimary airflow to be drawn into the body 1100 through the air inlet1110 via the purifying assemblies 1200. The user may control the speedof the fan motor 1152, and therefore the rate at which air is drawn intothe body 1100 through the air inlet 1110, by manipulating the userinterface. The primary airflow passes sequentially through the purifyingassemblies 1200, air inlet 1110, the impeller housing 1154 and the airvent 1115 at the open upper end of the main body section 1120 to enterthe interior passage 1330 of the nozzle 1300 via the air inlet 1340located in the base 1350 of the nozzle 1300.

Within the interior passage 1330, the primary airflow is divided intotwo air streams which pass in opposite angular directions around thebore 1500 of the nozzle 1300, each within a respective straight section1301, 1302 of the interior passage 1330. As the air streams pass throughthe interior passage 1330, air is emitted through one or both of thefirst air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b and the second air outlet 320 independence upon the position of the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b of thevalve 1400.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 8, when both of the valvemembers 1410 a, 1410 b provided in the interior passage 1330 are in thefirst end position, the elongate section of the generally J-shapedcross-section of the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b will be in contactwith the gasket 1423 provided on the front end of the baffle wall 1420,whilst the curved end of the generally J-shaped cross-section of thevalve member 1410 a, 1410 b will be in contact with the overlappingportion of the inner surface of the outer casing section 1360. The valvemembers 1410 a, 1410 b will therefore substantially close-off the inletsinto the second airflow channel 1322 from the remainder of the interiorpassage 1330 so as to substantially prevent the airflow from enteringthe second airflow channel 1322, and will therefore direct the entiretyprimary airflow to the first air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b. When both ofthe valve members 1410 a, 1410 b provided in the interior passage 1330are in the second end position, the elongate section of the generallyJ-shaped cross-section of the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b will be incontact with the inner periphery/edges of the frame 1392 of thecorresponding heater assembly 1390 a, 1390 b. The valve members 1410 a,1410 b will therefore substantially close-off the first airflow channels1312 a, 1312 b from the remainder of the interior passage 1330, and willtherefore direct the entirety primary airflow to the second air outlet1320. When both of the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b are locatedin-between the first end position and the second end position, then boththe first airflow channels 1312 a, 1312 b and the second airflow channel1322 will be open to the remainder of the interior passage 1330, with afirst portion of the primary airflow being directed to the first airoutlets 1310 a, 1310 b and a second portion of the primary airflow beingdirected to the second air outlet 1320.

The emission of the primary airflow or a portion of the primary airflowfrom the first air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b in a direction that issubstantially parallel to a central axis (X) of the opening/bore 1500defined by the nozzle 1300 causes a secondary airflow to be generated bythe entrainment of air from the external environment, specifically fromthe region around the nozzle 1300. This secondary airflow combines withthe primary airflow emitted from the first air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b toproduce a combined, amplified airflow that is projected forward from thenozzle 1300. In contrast, emission of the primary airflow from thesecond air outlet 1320 such that the primary airflow substantiallyradiates/divaricates away from the fan assembly 1000 prevents thisairflow from drawing air from outside the fan assembly 1000 through theopening/bore 1500 defined by the nozzle 1300, thereby producing anon-amplified airflow.

FIGS. 9a and 9b are external views of a nozzle 1300 of a secondembodiment of a free-standing environmental control fan assembly 1000,and FIGS. 10a and 10b show sectional views through line A-A of FIG. 9a .In this second embodiment, the body 1100 of fan assembly 1000 issubstantially the same as that of the first embodiment and has thereforenot been further illustrated nor described. In addition, the nozzle 1300of this second embodiment is also substantially the same as that of thefirst embodiment and corresponding reference numerals have thereforebeen used for like or corresponding parts or features of theseembodiments.

In this second embodiment, the nozzle 1300 is mounted on the upper endof the main body section 1120 over the air vent 1115 through which theprimary airflow exits the body 1100. As with the first embodiment, thenozzle 1300 comprises a base 1350 that connects to upper end of the mainbody section 1120, and has an open lower end which provides an air inlet1340 for receiving the primary airflow from the body 1100. The externalsurface of the base 1350 of the nozzle 1300 is then substantially flushwith the outer edge of the upper annular flange 1122 of the main bodysection 1120.

The only significant difference between the first embodiment and thesecond embodiment is that the second embodiment does not include heaterassemblies 1390 a, 1390 b within the interior passage 1330 adjacent tothe first air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b. As a consequence, the fan assembly1000 of the second embodiment does not include the frames of the heaterassemblies 1392 a, 1392 b that funnel the primary airflow towards thefirst air outlets 1310 a, 1310 b and that therefore defines firstairflow channels 1312 a, 1312 b within the interior passage 1330 of thenozzle 1300. In contrast, the fan assembly 1000 of the second embodimentcomprises one or more airflow guide members 1331 a, 1331 b that arearranged, when mounted within the interior passage 1330, to direct theairflow out of the corresponding first air outlet 1310 a, 1310 b.

To do so, each airflow guide member 1331 a, 1331 b comprises a front endthat is fitted within the corresponding first air outlet 1310 a, 1310 bprovided in the forward facing edge of the nozzle 1300, and thattherefore forms the duct 1311 of the first air outlet 1310 a, 1310 b,and with a rear surface that is angled relative to the front end. Thisangled rear surface of the each airflow guide member 1331 a, 1331 btherefore funnels the primary airflow towards the corresponding firstair outlet 1310 a, 1310 b and the duct 1311 of the first air outlet 1310a, 1310 b that is provided by the front end of the airflow guide member1331 a, 1331 b. The first airflow channels 1312 a, 1312 b within theinterior passage 1330 of the nozzle 1300 are therefore at leastpartially defined by a respective airflow guide member 1331 a, 1331 b.The valve 1400 is therefore arranged so that, in the second endposition, the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b abut/are seated against theangled surface of the corresponding airflow guide member 1331 a, 1331 band against a surface of the corresponding valve actuator 1450 a, 1450b, the valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b being located within the interiorpassage 1330 adjacent to the inner surface of the outer casing 1360, tothereby substantially close-off the first airflow channel 1312 a, 1312 bfrom the remainder of the interior passage 1330, as illustrated in FIG.10a . In addition, the valve 1400 is arranged so that, in the first endposition, the valve members 1410 a, 1410 b abut/are seated against boththe front end of the baffle wall 1420 and against the surface of thecorresponding valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b that is adjacent to thesecond air outlet 1320 to thereby substantially close-off the secondairflow channel 1322 from the remainder of the interior passage 1330, asillustrated in FIG. 10 b.

Another difference between the first embodiment and the secondembodiment is that in the second embodiment the arc-shaped rack 1440 isnot provided with a pair of surfaces 1441 a, 1441 b that project fromthe rack 1440 in a direction that is parallel to the centre axis (X) ofthe bore 1500. As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the secondembodiment the arc-shaped rack 1440 is provided with a single surface1441 that projects from the rack 1440 in a direction that is parallel tothe centre axis (X) of the bore 1500, and that extends along the lengthof the arc-shaped rack 1440. This projecting surface 1441 is thenprovided with two linear cams, each in the form of a cam slot 1442 a,1442 b that extends across the curved surface at an angle ofapproximately 45 degrees relative to the axis of the rotation of therack 1440, and with the rack 1440 being configured such the cam slots1442 a, 1442 b are located on opposite sides of the pinion 1431 when thepinion 1431 is engaged in the rack 1440. The cam slots 1442 a, 1442 bare each arranged to be engaged by a follower pin 1411 a, 1411 b thatprojects from the corresponding valve member 1410 a, 1410 b, with thecam slots 1442 a, 1442 b being angled in the same direction.

A first of a pair of valve actuators 1450 a is rotatablyconnected/attached to a first end of the arc-shaped rack 1440 and asecond of the pair of valve actuators 1450 b is rotatablyconnected/attached to an opposite, second end of the arc-shaped rack1440. Each valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b is elongate (being arranged toextend along the elongate sides 1301, 1302 of the interior passage 1330)and is provided with an upper cam slot 1451 provided towards the upperend of the valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b, a lower cam slot 1452 providedtowards the lower end of the valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b, and a middlecam slot 1453 provided towards the middle of the valve actuator 1450 a,1450 b. The upper, lower and middle cam slots 1451, 1452, 1453 extendacross the corresponding valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b at an angle ofapproximately 45 degrees relative to the centre axis (X) of the bore1500 and are each arranged to be engaged by a follower pin 1412, 1413,1414 that projects from the corresponding valve member 1410 a, 1410 b.The cam slots 1451 a, 1452 a, 1453 a on a first of the valve actuators1450 a are angled upwards as the cam slots extend from the back to thefront of the valve actuator 1450 a, whereas the cam slots 1451 b, 1452b, 1453 b on a second of the valve actuators 1450 b are angled downwardsas the cam slots extend from the back to the front of the valve actuator1450 b.

Each valve member 1410 a, 1410 b therefore comprises four follower pins1411, 1412, 1413, 1414 that are arranged to engage with the cam slot1442 provided on the corresponding portion of the rack 1440 and theupper, lower and middle cam slots 1451, 1452, 1453 provided on thecorresponding valve actuator 1450 a, 1450 b respectively.

The operation of the valve, including the movement of the valve members1450 a, 1450 b, of the second embodiment is implemented in substantiallythe same way as that described above for the first embodiment and hastherefore not been further described.

FIGS. 13a and 13b are external views of a nozzle 2300 of a thirdembodiment of a free-standing environmental control fan assembly 1000,and FIGS. 14a and 14b show sectional views through line A-A of FIG. 13a. In this third embodiment, the body 1100 of fan assembly 1000 issubstantially the same as that of the first and second embodiments andhas therefore not been further illustrated nor described. However,rather than having an elongate annular shape, the nozzle 2300 of thisthird embodiment is annular/generally cylindrical in shape such thatthere are differences in the construction of the nozzle 2300 and alsodifferences in the valve 2400 provided within the interior passage 2330of the nozzle 2300.

In this third embodiment, the nozzle 2300 is mounted on the upper end ofthe main body section 1120 over the air vent 1115 through which theprimary airflow exits the body 1100. The nozzle 2300 comprises aneck/base 2350 that connects to upper end of the main body section 1120,and has an open lower end which provides an air inlet 2340 for receivingthe primary airflow from the body 1100. The air inlet 2340 of the nozzle2300 is provided by a circular opening located centrally within thelower end of the base 2350 of the nozzle 2300. The air inlet 2340 ofnozzle 2300 aligns with the air vent 1115 of the main body section 1120,with the air vent 1115 being provided by a circular opening locatedcentrally at the upper end of the main body section 1120.

As shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b , the base 2350 of the nozzle 2300 has anexternal surface that tapers inwardly from the lower end of the base2350, where the base 2350 is attached to the main body section 1120, tothe upper end of the base 2350. At the lower end of the base 2350 theexternal surface of the base 2350 of the nozzle 2300 is thensubstantially flush with the outer edge of the upper annular flange 1122of the main body section 1120. The base 2350 therefore comprises ahousing that covers/encloses any components of the fan assembly 1000that are provided on the upper surface 1122 of the main body section1120. For example, as described above with respect to the firstembodiment, both the main control circuit 1170 and an electronic display1180 are mounted on the upper surface of the upper annular flange 1122that extends radially away from the upper end of the main body section1120. The main control circuit 1170 and the electronic display 1180 aretherefore housed within base 2350 of the nozzle 2300. The electronicdisplay 1180 is visible through an opening or at least partiallytransparent window 2351 provided in the base 2350.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13a to 16, the nozzle 2300comprises an annular/cylindrical outer casing section 2360 that isconcentric with and extends about an annular/generally cylindrical innercasing section 2370. In this example, the inner casing section 2370 andthe outer casing section 2360 are separate components; however, theycould also be integrally formed as a single piece. The nozzle 2300 alsohas a curved rear casing section 2380 that forms the rear of the nozzle2300, with an inner end of the curved rear casing section 2380 beingconnected to a rear end of the inner casing section 2370. In thisexample, the inner casing section 2370 and the curved rear casingsection 2380 are separate components that are connected together, forexample, using screws and/or adhesives; however, they could also beintegrally formed as a single piece. The curved rear casing section 2380has a generally annular/cylindrical cross-section perpendicular to thecentral axis (X) of the inner bore 2500 of the nozzle 2300, and agenerally semi-circular cross-section parallel to the central axis (X)of the inner bore 2500 of the nozzle 2300.

The inner casing section 2370 has a generally annular/cylindricalcross-section perpendicular to the central axis (X) of the inner bore2500 of the nozzle 2300, and extends around and surrounds the inner bore2500 of the nozzle 2300. In this example, the inner casing section 2370has a rear portion 2371 and a front portion 2372. The rear portion 2371is angled outwardly from the rear end of the inner casing section 2370away from the central axis (X) of the inner bore 2500. The front portion2372 is also angled outwardly from the rear end of the inner casingsection 2370 away from the central axis (X) of the inner bore 2500, butwith a greater angle of inclination than that of the rear portion 2371.The front portion 2372 of the inner casing section 2370 therefore taperstowards the front end of the outer casing section 2360, but does notmeet the front end of the outer casing section 2360, with the spacebetween the front end of the inner casing section 2370 and the front endof the outer casing section 2360 defining a slot that forms a first airoutlet 2310 of the nozzle 2300.

The outer casing section 2360 then extends from the front of the nozzle2300 towards an outer end of the curved rear casing section 2380, butdoes not meet the outer end of the curved rear casing section 2380, withthe space between a rear end of the outer casing section 2360 and theouter end of the curved rear casing section 2380 defining a slot thatforms a second air outlet 2320 of the nozzle 2300.

The outer casing section 2360, inner casing section 2370 and curved rearcasing section 2380 therefore define an interior passage 2330 forconveying air from an air inlet 2340 of the nozzle 2300 to one or bothof the first air outlet 2310 and the second air outlet 2320. In otherwords, the interior passage 2330 is bounded by the internal surfaces ofthe outer casing section 2360, inner casing section 2370 and curved rearcasing section 2380. The interior passage 2330 may be considered tocomprise first and second sections which each extend in oppositedirections about the bore 2500, as the air that enters the nozzle 2300through the air inlet 2340 will enter the nozzle 2300 and be dividedinto two air streams which each flow in opposite directions around theinterior passage 2330 of the nozzle 2300.

As described above, the first air outlet 2310 takes the form of a slotprovided by the space between the front end of the inner casing section2370 and the front end of the outer casing section 2360. The nozzle 2300therefore comprises a single first air outlet 2310 that is provided inthe forward facing edge of the nozzle 2300 and extends around themajority of the periphery of the central bore 2500 for emitting theprimary airflow towards the front of the nozzle 2300.

In order for the airflow emitted from the first air outlet 2310 to drawair from outside the fan assembly 1000 and combine with this air toproduce an amplified airflow, the first air outlet 2310 is arranged todirect the emitted the airflow in a direction that is substantiallyparallel to the central axis (X) of the opening/bore 2500 defined by thenozzle 2300, i.e. at an angle from −30 to 30 degrees away from thecentral axis, preferably at an angle from −20 to 20 degrees away fromthe central axis, and more preferably at an angle from −10 to 10 degreesaway from the central axis. To do so, the first air outlet 2310 isarranged such that a duct 2311 of the first air outlet 2310 issubstantially parallel to the central axis (X) of the opening/bore 2500defined by the nozzle 2300. The inner casing section 2370 is thereforeprovided with a projection 2373 that extends inwardly into the interiorpassage 2330 of the nozzle 2300 from the front end of the inner casingsection 2370 that is immediately adjacent to space between the front endof the inner casing section 2370 and the front end of the outer casingsection 2360. This inwardly extending projection 2373 together with theopposing inner surface of the outer casing section 2360 thereforedefines the duct 2311 of the first air outlet 2310 that is substantiallyparallel to the central axis (X) of the bore/opening 2500. An airflowguide member 2331 is then provided within the interior passage 2330 thatextends from the inner end of the inwardly extending projection 2373 toan adjacent portion of the inner surface of the inner casing section2370. This airflow guide member 2331 therefore assist in directing theprimary airflow towards the first air outlet 2310 and the duct 2311 ofthe first air outlet 2310 that is partially defined by the inwardlyextending projection 2373. A first airflow channel 2312 within theinterior passage 2330 of the nozzle 2300 is therefore at least partiallydefined by the airflow guide member 2331.

The second air outlet 2320 is then arranged such that a duct 2321 of thesecond air outlet 2320 is substantially perpendicular relative to thecentral axis (X) of the opening/bore 2500 defined by the nozzle 2300. Asa consequence, the non-amplified airflow emitted from the second airoutlet 2320 will be directed substantially perpendicularly away from thecentral axis (X) of the opening/bore 2500 defined by the nozzle 2300. Asillustrated in FIGS. 14a and 14b , the duct 2321 of the second airoutlet 2320 extends from the interior passage 2330 that carries theprimary airflow received from the body 1100 to the external periphery ofthe nozzle 2300 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular tothe direction of the air drawn through the bore 2500.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14a and 14b , a baffle 2420 isprovided within the interior passage that defines a second airflowchannel 2322 within the interior passage 2330 that is arranged to directthe primary airflow towards the second air outlet 2320. The baffle 2420extends into the interior passage 2330 from an interior surface of thenozzle 2300 that at least partially defines the interior passage 2330,with the second airflow channel 2322 being a section of the interiorpassage 2330 that is on one side of the baffle 2420. In particular, thesecond airflow channel 2332 comprises a section of the interior passage2330 that is bounded by the baffle 2420 and by a portion of the interiorsurface of the nozzle 2300 that is adjacent to the second air outlet2320.

The baffle 2420 is provided by a baffle wall that extends into theinterior passage 2330 from the curved rear casing section 2380. Thebaffle wall 2420 is connected to the outer end of the curved rear casingsection 2380 and has a front portion 2421 and a rear portion 2422. Therear portion 2422 of the baffle wall 2420 is angled inwardly from theouter end of the curved rear casing section 2380 towards the centralaxis (X) of the bore 2500. The front portion 2421 is then angledrelative to the rear portion 2422 so that the front portion 2421 isparallel to the outer casing section 2360, with the majority of thefront portion 2421 overlapping the outer casing section 2360. Theportion of the interior passage 2330 that is located between the frontportion 2421 of the baffle wall 2420 and the overlapping portion of theouter casing section 2360 therefore forms the second airflow channel2322 within the interior passage 2330, with the angled rear portion 2422of the baffle wall 2420 providing the duct 2321 of the second air outlet2320 that is substantially perpendicular relative to the central axis(X) of the opening/bore 2500 defined by the nozzle 2300. The air inletinto the second airflow channel 2322, as defined by front end of thebaffle wall 2420 and the inner surface of the outer casing section 2360,is substantially parallel to the central axis (X) of the opening/bore2500 defined by the nozzle 2300.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14a and 14b , the baffle wall2420 extends around the majority of the interior passage 2330. The lowerends of the baffle wall 2420 are angled away from the central axis (X)of the opening/bore 2500 so that they meet the interior surface of thelower section of the interior passage 2330 so that the primary airflowcannot enter the second airflow channel 2322 via this lower end.

In this third embodiment, the nozzle 2300 comprises a valve 2400 that isarranged to direct the primary airflow to one or both of the first airoutlet 2310 and the second air outlet 2320. To do so, the valve 2400comprises a single valve member 2410 that is arranged to direct theprimary airflow to one or both of the first air outlet 2310 and thesecond air outlet 2320 in dependence upon the position of the valvemember 2410. The valve member 2410 is therefore arranged to be moveablebetween a first end position in which the valve member 2410 directs theprimary airflow to the first air outlet 2310 and prevents/obstructs theairflow from reaching the second air outlet 2320, and a second endposition in which the valve member 2410 directs the primary airflow tothe second air outlet 2320 and prevents/obstructs the airflow fromreaching the first air outlet 2310. When the valve member 2410 islocated in-between the first end position and the second end position,the valve member 2410 directs a first portion of the primary airflow tothe first air outlet 2310 and a second portion of the primary airflow tothe second air outlet 2320. The closer the valve member 2410 to thefirst end position the greater the proportion of the primary airflowthat comprises the first portion that is directed to the to the firstair outlet 2310. Conversely, the closer the valve member 2410 to thesecond end position the greater the proportion of the primary airflowthat comprises the second portion that is directed to the to the secondair outlet 2320.

In this third embodiment, the valve 2400 is provided within the interiorpassage 2330 of the nozzle 2300. Consequently, the valve member 2410 isarranged to close-off the second airflow channel 2322 from the remainderof the interior passage 2330 when in the first end position so as tosubstantially prevent the airflow from entering the second airflowchannel 2322, and to close-off a first airflow channel 2312 from theremainder of the interior passage 2330 when in the second end positionso as to substantially prevent the airflow from entering the firstairflow channel 2312.

In order to move the valve member 2410 to any position from the firstend position to the second end position the fan assembly 1000 isprovided with a valve motor 2430 that is arranged to cause movement ofthe valve member 2410 in response to signals received from the maincontrol circuit 1170. As shown in FIG. 15, the valve motor 2430 isarranged to rotate a pinion 2431 that engages with an arc-shaped rack2440, with rotation of the valve motor 2430 causing rotation of both thepinion 2431 and the rack 2440, and with the valve 2400 being configuredsuch that rotation of the rack 2440 results in movement of the valvemember 2410.

The valve motor 2430 is mounted on the baffle wall 2420 within theinterior passage 2330 at the peak/top of the interior passage 2330, withthe baffle wall 2420 then being attached to the rear casing section2380. A rotating shaft 2432 of the valve motor 2430 then projectstowards the rear casing 2380, with the axis of the rotation of the shaft2432 being parallel to the centre axis (X) of the bore/opening 2500. Thepinion 2431 is mounted upon the rotating shaft 2432, with the teeth ofthe pinion 2431 engaging the arc-shaped rack 2440 whose shapesubstantially corresponds to/conforms with/correlates with that of theinterior passage 2330 of the annular/cylindrical nozzle 2300.

As the nozzle 2300 is annular/cylindrical in shape, the rack 2440 hasthe shape of a major arc wherein the rack 2440 subtends an angle that isgreater than 180 degrees. Specifically, the arc-shaped rack 2440 willextend around the majority of the interior passage 2330 defined by thenozzle 2300, with the space between the ends of the arc-shaped rack 2440being aligned with the air inlet 2340 when mounted within the interiorpassage 2330 of the nozzle 2300

The inlet into the first airflow channel 2312 and the inlet of thesecond airflow channel 2322 are aligned with one another and aresubstantially parallel to the central axis (X) of the opening/bore 2500of the nozzle 2300. Consequently, in order for the valve member 2410 toclose off the second airflow channel 2322 when in the first end positionand to close off the first airflow channel 2312 when in the second endposition, the valve member 2410 is each arranged to move in a directionthat is substantially parallel to the central axis (X) of theopening/bore 2500. The valve 2400 is therefore configured such that therotation of the rack 2440 is translated into movement of the valvemember 2410 in a direction that is parallel to the central axis (X) ofthe opening/bore 2500.

In order to translate the rotation of the rack 2440 into movement of thevalve member 2410 in a direction that is parallel to the central axis(X) of the bore 2500, the arc-shaped rack 2440 illustrated in FIGS. 15and 16 is provided with a single surface 2441 that projects from therack 2440 in a direction that is parallel to the centre axis (X) of thebore 2500, and that extends along the length of the arc-shaped rack2440. The projecting surface 2441 is then provided with five linear camsdistributed evenly around the length of the arc-shaped rack 2440, eachlinear cam being in the form of a cam slot 2442 a-e that extends acrossthe curved surface at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative tothe axis of the rotation of the rack 2440. In this third embodiment, therack 2440 is configured such that one of the five the cam slots 2242 ais located at the mid-point along the length of the rack 2440, adjacentto the location at which the pinion 2431 engages in the rack 2440 andopposite to the air inlet 2340. The four further cam slots 2442 b, 2442c, 2442 d, 2442 e are then distributed on either side of the middle camslot 2442 a such that two of these cam slots are located on each half ofthe rack 2440, such that there are two slots located either side of thepinion 2431 when the pinion 2431 is engaged in the rack 2440. The camslots 2442 a-e are each arranged to be engaged by a correspondingfollower pin 2411 a-e that projects from the valve member 2410, with allof the cam slots 2442 a-e being angled in the same direction.

In order to move the valve member 2410 to any position from the firstend position to the second end position, the main control circuit 1170sends a signal to the valve motor 2430 that causes the motor to rotatethe shaft 2432 in one direction or the other, thereby causing rotationof the pinion 2431 provided on the shaft 2432. Engagement of the pinion2431 with the arc-shaped rack 2440 therefore causes the rack 2440 torotate in the same direction as the shaft 2432. Rotation of thearc-shaped rack 2440 therefore causes the angled cam slots 2442 a-eprovided on the curved surface 2441 of the rack 2440 to move relative tothe corresponding follower pins 2411 a-e of the valve member 2410, withthe angle of the cam slots 2442 a-e translating the rotational movementof the arc-shaped rack 2440 into linear movement of the valve member2410 in a direction that is parallel to the centre axis (X) of the bore2500.

The valve 2400 is therefore arranged so that, in the second endposition, the valve member 2410 abuts/is seated against the surface ofthe airflow guide member 2331 and against a surface of the arc-shapedrack 2440 that is located within the interior passage 2330 adjacent tothe inner surface of the outer casing 2360, to thereby substantiallyclose-off the first airflow channel 2312 from the remainder of theinterior passage 2330, as illustrated in FIG. 14 aa. In addition, thevalve 2400 is arranged so that, in the first end position, the valvemember 2410 abuts/is seated against both the front end of the bafflewall 2420 and against the surface of the arc-shaped rack 2440 that isadjacent to the second air outlet 2320 to thereby substantiallyclose-off the second airflow channel 2322 from the remainder of theinterior passage 2330, as illustrated in FIG. 14 b.

When the valve member 2410 is located in-between the first end positionand the second end position, the valve member 2410 directs a firstportion of the primary airflow to the first air outlet 2310 and a secondportion of the primary airflow to the second air outlet 2320. The closerthe valve member 2410 to the first end position the greater theproportion of the primary airflow that comprises the first portion thatis directed to the first air outlet 2310. Conversely, the closer thevalve member 2410 to the second end position the greater the proportionof the primary airflow that comprises the second portion that isdirected to the to the second air outlet 2320.

The emission of the primary airflow or a portion of the primary airflowfrom the first air outlet 2310 in a direction that is substantiallyparallel to a central axis (X) of the opening/bore 2500 defined by thenozzle 2300 causes a secondary airflow to be generated by theentrainment of air from the external environment, specifically from theregion around the nozzle 2500. This secondary airflow combines with theprimary airflow emitted from the first air outlet 2310 to produce acombined, amplified airflow that is projected forward from the nozzle2300. In contrast, emission of the primary airflow from the second airoutlet 2320 such that the primary airflow substantiallyradiates/divaricates away from the fan assembly 1000 prevents thisairflow from drawing air from outside the fan assembly 1000 through theopening/bore 2500 defined by the nozzle 2300, thereby producing anon-amplified airflow.

The fan assemblies described herein can therefore deliver either anamplified airflow or a non-amplified airflow or simultaneously deliverboth an amplified airflow and a non-amplified airflow, and in doing soprovides the user of the fan assembly with various options as to how airis delivered by the fan assembly. This is particularly useful when thefan assembly is configured to provide purified air as the user of a fanassembly may wish to continue to receive purified air from the fanassembly without the cooling effect produced by the provision of theamplified airflow. For example, this may be the case in winter when theuser may consider the temperature to be too low to make use of thecooling effect provided by the amplified airflow. Similarly, if the fanassembly is configured to provide heated air, then the user of a fanassembly may wish to continue to receive purified air from the fanassembly without the need for a focussed, amplified airflow, with anon-directional, non-amplified airflow then being delivered by thesecond air outlet.

For example, should the user wish to receive purified air from the fanassembly without the cooling effect produced by the provision of theamplified airflow, then the user can control the air delivery mode bymanipulating the user interface. In response to these user inputs, themain control circuit would then cause the one or more valve members toprevent or obstruct the airflow from reaching the one or more first airoutlets, so that the entirety of the primary airflow is directed outthrough one or more second air outlets. The fan assembly would thenproduce only the non-amplified airflow. Alternatively, the user may wishto only partially reduce the cooling effect produced by the provision ofthe amplified airflow. In this case, the user inputs would instruct themain control circuit to cause the valve member to move so as to reducethe proportion of the primary airflow that is directed to the one ormore first air outlets, whilst increasing the proportion of the primaryairflow that is directed to the one or more second air outlets.

Moreover, in the above described embodiments the one or more second airoutlets of the fan assembly are configured to direct the non-amplifiedairflow such that it substantially radiates/divaricates perpendicularlyaway from a central axis of the bore defined by the nozzle. Theseembodiments therefore also provide that the non-amplified airflow isemitted diffusely, thereby providing for indirect delivery of theprimary airflow to the user. In contrast, the one or more first airoutlets of the fan assembly is configured to direct the emitted theairflow so that it is substantially parallel to a central axis of thebore defined by the nozzle, thereby providing for a more direct,focussed delivery of the amplified airflow to the user. The more diffusedelivery of the non-amplified airflow by the one or more second airoutlets may also be desirable so as to further minimise the coolingeffect produced by the provision of the focussed, amplified airflow.

It will be appreciated that individual items described above may be usedon their own or in combination with other items shown in the drawings ordescribed in the description and that items mentioned in the samepassage as each other or the same drawing as each other need not be usedin combination with each other. In addition, the expression “means” maybe replaced by actuator or system or device as may be desirable. Inaddition, any reference to “comprising” or “consisting” is not intendedto be limiting in any way whatsoever and the reader should interpret thedescription and claims accordingly.

Furthermore, although the invention has been described in terms ofpreferred embodiments as set forth above, it should be understood thatthese embodiments are illustrative only. Those skilled in the art willbe able to make modifications and alternatives in view of the disclosurewhich are contemplated as falling within the scope of the appendedclaims. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theabove-described invention might be equally applicable to other types ofenvironmental control fan assemblies, and not just free standing fanassemblies. By way of example, such a fan assembly could be any of afreestanding fan assembly, a ceiling or wall mounted fan assembly and anin-vehicle fan assembly.

By way of further example, whilst the above described embodiments allprovide that the nozzle comprises the second air outlet, the second airoutlet could be provided on the body/stand of the fan assembly or in theneck of the of the nozzle that connects to the body/stand of the fanassembly, with the valve then be arranging to direct the airflowaccordingly.

As a yet further example, whilst the first embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1a to 8 includes heater assemblies within the first airflowchannel that are configured to heat the primary airflow as it passesthrough the first airflow channel to the first air outlets, the fanassemblies described herein could alternatively or in addition beprovided with one or more heater assemblies within the second airflowchannel that would then be configured heat the primary airflow as itpasses through the second airflow channel to the second air outlets.

In addition, whilst the above described embodiments all provide a valvemotor for driving the movement of the valve member of the valve, thenozzles described herein could alternatively include a manual mechanismfor driving the movement of the valve member, wherein the application ofa force by the user would be translated into movement of the valvemember. For example, this could take the form of a rotatable dial orwheel or a sliding dial or switch, with rotation or sliding of the dialby a user causing rotation of the shaft, pinion and rack.

Furthermore, from the above described embodiments it is clear that thefan assembly could comprise one or more first outlets and/or one or moresecond air outlets. In the case that the fan assembly comprises morethan one first air outlet and/or more than one second air outlet, thefan assembly could then comprise either a single valve member fordirecting the primary airflow to one or both of the first air outlet(s)and second air outlet(s) or could comprise a plurality of valve memberthat between them direct the primary airflow to one or both of the firstair outlet(s) and second air outlet(s). For example, the fan assemblycould comprise a valve member corresponding to each of the first airoutlets and/or each of the second air outlets.

1. A fan assembly comprising: a fan body comprising an air inlet; amotor-driven impeller contained within the fan body and arranged togenerate an airflow; and a nozzle mounted on the fan body, the nozzlebeing arranged to receive the airflow from the fan body and to emit theairflow from the fan assembly; wherein the nozzle comprises a base thatconnects to an upper end of the fan body and encloses one or moreelectronic components of the fan assembly that are provided on an uppersurface of the fan body.
 2. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein thebase comprises a housing that encloses the one or more electroniccomponents that are provided on the upper surface of the fan body. 3.The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the base of the nozzle has an airinlet through which the nozzle receives the primary airflow from the fanbody.
 4. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is mounted overan air vent through which the airflow exits the fan body.
 5. The fanassembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more electronic componentscomprise one or more of: a main control circuit of the fan assembly; anelectronic display of the fan assembly; one or more wirelesscommunication modules; and one or more sensors.
 6. The fan assembly ofclaim 1, wherein an electronic display is mounted on the upper surfaceof the fan body and the electronic display is visible through an openingor at least partially transparent window provided in the base of thenozzle.
 7. A fan assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least onefilter assembly that is arranged to purify the airflow before theairflow is emitted from the fan assembly.
 8. The fan assembly of claim1, further comprising at least one removable filter assembly mounted onthe fan body over the air inlet.
 9. The fan assembly of claim 1, whereinthe body comprises a main body section that houses the impeller.
 10. Thefan assembly of claim 9, wherein the main body section is mounted on alower body section.
 11. The fan assembly of claim 10, wherein the mainbody section can rotate relative to the lower body section.
 12. The fanassembly of claim 9, wherein the main body section is cylindrical andthe upper surface of the fan body is provided by an upper annular flangethat extends radially away from an upper end of the main body section.13. The fan assembly of claim 12, wherein an external surface of thebase of the nozzle is flush with an outer edge of the upper annularflange.
 14. The fan assembly of claim 12, wherein the main body sectionhas a lower annular flange that extends radially away from a lower endof the main body section.
 15. The fan assembly of claim 14, wherein theouter edge of the lower annular flange is flush with the externalsurface of a lower body section.
 16. The fan assembly of claim 14,wherein the main body section comprises the air inlet of the fan bodyand the at least one removable filter assembly is mounted on the mainbody section.
 17. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzlecomprises an air outlet for emitting the airflow from the fan assembly.18. The fan assembly of claim 17, wherein the nozzle defines a borethrough which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by any portionof the airflow that is emitted from the air outlet and which combineswith the airflow emitted from the air outlet to produce an amplifiedairflow.
 19. The fan assembly of claim 17, wherein the fan assemblyfurther comprises a further air outlet arranged such that any portion ofthe airflow that is emitted from the further air outlet does not drawair through the bore defined by the nozzle thereby producing anon-amplified airflow.